MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC CROPS (2+1)

Origin and distribution

• Glory lily is a native of tropical Asia and Africa.
  
• The genus derives its name from the Latin word gloriosus referring to the flowers.
  
• It is found growing throughout tropical India, from the North-west Himalayas to Assam and the Deccan peninsula, extending up to an elevation of 2120m.
  
• In Karnataka, it is commonly found growing all along the Western Ghats.
  
• It is also found growing in Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and in the adjacent islands.
  
• The area under this crop in India is around 3000 ha.
• The genus Gloriosa is comprised of about 10 to 15 known species. The important species found in India are, G.superba and G. rothschildiana.